US9054439B1 - Structures for seamless coupling of device members - Google Patents
Structures for seamless coupling of device members Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US9054439B1 US9054439B1 US13/768,613 US201313768613A US9054439B1 US 9054439 B1 US9054439 B1 US 9054439B1 US 201313768613 A US201313768613 A US 201313768613A US 9054439 B1 US9054439 B1 US 9054439B1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- opening
- housing
- distal end
- audio jack
- coupling element
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related, expires
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
- H01R13/512—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by screw or screws
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
- H01R43/20—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/73—Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
- H01R13/74—Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel
- H01R13/748—Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel using one or more screws
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
- H01R24/58—Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
- H05K5/0026—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units
- H05K5/0047—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units having a two-part housing enclosing a PCB
Definitions
- design efficiencies such as aesthetically pleasing appearance of assembled equipment
- packaging efficiencies such as serviceability of the assembled equipment
- FIG. 1 illustrates example assembly of a device in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.
- FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate example devices in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.
- FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate another example device in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.
- FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate structural features of the example device shown in FIGS. 3A-3C .
- assembly of a portable electronic device can utilize an adhesive, a mechanical snap, and/or a screw to couple a rear housing of the portable device with the front housing thereof.
- the mechanical snap and the use of adhesive can provide a clean aesthetic—which is a design efficiency that provides the appearance of sophistication—such coupling approach(es) tend to limit serviceability of the portable device after assembly thereof.
- the use of screw(s) generally may create a strong mechanical coupling, yet the screw(s) typically can be visible to a consumer with the ensuing appearance of unsophisticated design, which is a design deficiency.
- the disclosure provides devices (portable or otherwise) having embedded structural features that permit assembly of such devices in a manner that design efficiencies and packaging efficiencies can be accomplished satisfactorily and substantially without mutual exclusivity.
- the disclosure can leverage a structure associated with a functionality of user equipment, such as a portable electronic device (e.g., a mobile e-book reader or other type of mobile tablet, or a smartphone), in order to couple a front housing of the user equipment with a rear housing thereof.
- a portable electronic device e.g., a mobile e-book reader or other type of mobile tablet, or a smartphone
- leveraging such structure can permit assembly of the user equipment (e.g., a mobile tablet) in a manner that provides uninterrupted or nearly uninterrupted appearance of the user equipment and mechanical reliability and/or versatility (e.g., cost-effective and/or non-destructive serviceability).
- the functionality can permit delivery or exchange of audio signals.
- the functional functionality can comprise communication (e.g., transmission, reception, or exchange) of other information, such as content (e.g., video, audio), metadata, and/or signaling in analog format or digital format.
- a device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure can comprise a first housing (e.g., a front housing) that defines an opening of the device.
- the opening can permit or facilitate access to the interior of the device.
- the opening can be defined, at least in part, by a structure or structural feature of the device that is associated with at least a portion of certain functionality of the device, such as exchange of audio signals and/or other content with another device.
- the opening can have a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end can be located in the interior of the device.
- the opening can be defined by an audio jack of the device.
- the device also can comprise a second housing (e.g., a rear housing) having a mounting element configured to couple the back housing to the front housing. Further, the device can comprise a coupling element that can attach the first housing to the second housing via at least the distal end of the opening and the mounting element.
- the coupling element can be configured to be coupled with the mounting element.
- the coupling element comprises one of a screw or a pin.
- the coupling element for attachment of the front housing to the rear housing can provide mechanical stability to the device, and ease of disassembly and/or servicing of the device.
- the coupling element e.g., a screw or a pin
- the coupling element can be hidden from a consumer's view and, thus, the device can have an uninterrupted appearance, which is sought-after design efficiency.
- FIG. 1 illustrates example assembly of a device in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.
- the device can comprise a first member 110 (e.g., a front housing of a device 180 , or a rear housing of the device 180 ) that can fit a hollow structure 114 that defines an opening 120 of the device 180 .
- the opening 120 can permit access to the interior of the device and can have a proximal end and a distal end.
- the proximal end can be located in proximity of an external surface of the first member 110
- the distal end can be located within the interior of the device 180 .
- FIGS. 1 illustrates example assembly of a device in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.
- the device can comprise a first member 110 (e.g., a front housing of a device 180 , or a rear housing of the device 180 ) that can fit a hollow structure 114 that defines an opening 120 of the device 180 .
- the opening 120 can permit access to the interior of the device and can
- the hollow structure 114 (e.g., a solid sleeve of circular section) can define the opening 120 can to have a circular section.
- the hollow structure can have specific structure, such as a sidewall 218 or sidewall 280 .
- the hollow structure can be embodied in or can be contained in a through-hole female audio connector (also referred to as a through-hole audio jack).
- the distal end e.g., 214 a or 290 a
- the proximal end e.g., 214 b or 290 b
- the first member 110 can embody or can comprise a front housing of the device 180 .
- the front housing (front housing 260 ) and/or the rear housing (e.g., rear housing 270 ) can be formed from a rigid material, a flexible material, or a combination thereof.
- the opening 120 can be defined, at least in part, by a structure of the device that can permit at least a portion of a functionality of the device (e.g., transmission of audio signal or other content).
- the opening 120 can be functionally coupled (e.g., electrically connected or magnetically coupled) to functionality circuitry 130 that provides at least a portion of the functionality.
- the functionality circuitry 130 can permit exchange of audio signals with another device (not shown in FIG. 1 ).
- such circuitry can be distributed and can comprise contact(s) of the audio jack assembly along the sidewall of such component.
- the structure that defines the opening 120 can have an internal diameter of about 3.5 mm. In addition or in the alternative, in such implementation, the structure that defines the opening 120 can have an external diameter of 5.0 mm.
- an audio jack 280 e.g., a through-hole audio jack
- the audio jack 280 can be a custom audio jack (see, e.g., FIGS.
- the audio jack 280 can be embodied in a 3.5 mm audio jack.
- the functionality circuitry 130 can permit or otherwise facilitate communication of information (e.g., data, metadata, and/or signaling) in analog format or digital format.
- the functionality circuitry 130 can permit communication (e.g., collection) of power signals (e.g., a voltage waveform or a current waveform) from a power supply.
- power signals e.g., a voltage waveform or a current waveform
- the particular structure (e.g., sidewall(s) shape) that defines the opening 120 can be, at least in part, specific to the functionality of the device 180 and associated information exchange.
- the device 180 also can comprise a second member 150 having a mounting element 160 configured to couple the second member 150 to the first member 110 .
- the mounting element 160 can be embodied in a member 240 having a proximal end that is integrated or otherwise attached to the second member 150 .
- the member 240 defines an opening 245 at or near a distal end of such member.
- the member 240 can be embodied in a pin, either hollow or solid (not shown) that is attached to a portion of the member 150 , wherein such portion can be embodied in or can be contained in a flange.
- the second member 150 can embody or can comprise a rear housing of the device 180 (such as rear housing 270 ) or a front housing of such device. It should be appreciated that, in a scenario in which the second member 150 is a front housing of the device 180 , the first member 110 can be a front housing of such device.
- the mounting element 160 can be integrated or otherwise attached to the second member 150 .
- the mounting element 160 can have a flange defining another opening, wherein the flange can be configured to couple to the through-hole audio jack that defines the opening 120 .
- a front housing 305 can have a mounting element 310 integrated therein.
- the mounting element 310 can define, in one aspect, an opening 315 and/or a slit—see also FIGS. 4B-4D . It should be appreciated that, in one aspect illustrated in FIG.
- the slit can be defined by integrating or otherwise forming (e.g., soldering, snapping, or the like) a flange 410 into the mounting element 310 .
- a flange 420 contained in the mounting element 310 can define the opening 315 .
- the structure (e.g., shape and/or size) of the mounting element 160 can be specific to structure associated (e.g., that defines) the distal end of the opening 120 . For example, as illustrated in FIG.
- a rear housing 350 can define an opening 330 via a structure 325 (e.g., sidewall(s)) having a distal end 345 .
- the distal end 345 defines the distal end of the opening 330 .
- the structure 325 can be embodied in a through-hole audio jack that is fitted or otherwise embedded into an opening of the rear housing 350 .
- a cross-section of device 360 illustrates an example structure of the distal end 345 that is configured to mount (e.g., assemble rigidly or stably) such structure onto the mounting element 310 .
- the structure of the mounting element 160 and the structure of the distal end of the opening 120 can be configured for a coupling element 140 or any mechanical connection to be assembled within the device 180 in a manner that the coupling element 140 can attach the first member 110 to the second member 150 via at least the distal end of the opening 120 and the mounting element 160 .
- the coupling element 140 can fit into the opening 120 .
- the coupling element 140 can fit into the through-hole audio jack that defines the opening 120 and can attach the first member 110 (e.g., a front housing) to the second member 150 (e.g., a rear housing) via at least the distal end of the opening and a flange integrated or otherwise contained into the mounting element 160 .
- the flange as described herein, can define another opening configured to couple the first member 110 to the second member 150 .
- the through-hole audio jack can have a slit that fits at least a portion of the flange and thus permits, at least in part, such coupling.
- Such attachment is part of the disclosed assembly technique and includes suitable movement(s) (represented with arrows in FIG. 2A ) of the first member 110 towards the second member 150 , or vice versa, and insertion of the coupling element 230 into the opening 120 and attachment or mechanical connection of such element with the mounting element 160 , which can be embodied in the member 240 .
- assembly of the device in accordance with one or more described aspects can comprise a sequence of movements.
- a front housing 305 is coupled to the rear housing 350 via a member 320 .
- Such member can be suitably formed to provide stable attachment (e.g., through a snap mechanism) to the rear housing 350 .
- the partially assembled front housing 305 is moved towards the distal end 345 of the structure 325 that defines the opening 330 .
- the front housing 305 comprises a mounting element 310 that is configured to be coupled to specific structure of the distal end 345 .
- a screw 340 can be inserted through the opening 330 and screwed into the mounting element 310 in order to attach the front housing 305 to the rear housing 350 .
- the front housing 305 also includes a mounting element 320 that also permits mounting or otherwise mounting the front housing 305 to the rear housing 350 .
- a screw 340 (shown as a black silhouette) can embody the coupling element 140 and can be screwed, for instance, into the flange structure (or flange) of the mounting element 310 via the distal end 345 .
- the flange structure can have threads that permit screwing displacement and fastening action of the screw 340 .
- the structure 325 can define a slit 440 (pictorially emphasized with a thick line, for clarity) that permits or facilitates mounting of the mounting element 310 .
- FIGS. 4B-4D also illustrate coupling of the front housing 305 and rear housing 350 via the mounting element 320 .
- the coupling element 140 can comprise one or more of a screw, a pin, or the like.
- the mounting element 160 can comprise a flange having a pin, and the coupling element 140 can attach the flange to the first member 110 at the distal end of the opening 120 .
- the mounting element 160 can comprise a flange or structural feature defining another opening, such as a slit (see, e.g., FIG. 2A , FIG. 3A , and/or FIG. 4B ), and the coupling element 140 can attach the flange to the first member at the distal end of the opening 120 .
- attachment of the first member 110 to the second member 150 through the distal end of the opening 120 , via the coupling element 140 can result in an uninterrupted view of the device 180 .
- the uninterrupted view of the device 180 prevents view or perception of the coupling element 140 , that is, the visible features of the device 180 do not include coupling components.
- the coupling element 140 is accessible through the opening 120 (e.g., the coupling element 140 fits into the opening 120 ). Such access can permit straightforward servicing of the device 180 by permitting removal of the coupling element 140 and ensuing detachment of the first member 110 and the second member 150 .
- the functionality can be associated with structure that defines an opening at a specific member (e.g., a device housing, an audio jack, or the like), the disclosure also contemplates scenarios in which the opening associated with the structure can be defined partially by two or more members to be assembled.
- a front housing and a rear housing are to be assembled according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, a first portion of an opening can be defined by the front housing, and a second portion of the opening can be defined by the rear housing.
- such opening can be defined or otherwise related to structure that permit, at least in part, certain functionality of user equipment having the rear and front housings.
- the assembly state 170 can include an example method for assembling devices.
- the method can comprise providing a first housing (e.g., a rear housing) defining a first opening (e.g., opening 120 ).
- the first opening permits access to the interior of a device (e.g., device 180 or device 250 ).
- the example method can comprise providing a hollow structure (e.g., structure 325 ) that fits into the first opening of the device.
- providing the hollow structure that fits into the first opening of the device comprises providing a through-hole audio jack having an internal diameter of about 3.5 mm and/or an external diameter of about 5.0 mm.
- the hollow structure can include a structural member (e.g., a conducting sidewall, a hollow solid sleeve with a specific thickness, or the like) defining an orifice that has a diameter of about 3.5 mm and having a thickness of about 1.5 mm.
- the structural member can permit, at least in part, certain functionality of the device.
- the structural member can be embodied in or can be contained in an audio jack of the device.
- the hollow structure can have a proximal end (e.g., 290 a ) and a distal end (e.g., 290 b ).
- the functionality associated with the structural member can include communication functionality that permits or otherwise facilitates communication of information (e.g., data, metadata, and/or signaling) in one or more of analog format or digital format.
- the example method can comprise providing a second housing (e.g., a front housing 270 ) defining a second opening (e.g., opening 245 ) configured to couple the first housing to the second housing at the distal end of the first opening.
- providing the second housing defining the second opening configured to couple the first housing to the second housing at the distal end of the first opening comprises providing at least one flange defining at least one respective other opening, where the flange can be configured to couple to the through-hole audio jack that embodies or contains the hollow structure.
- the example method can comprise attaching the first housing to the second housing with a coupling element (e.g., coupling element 230 , such as an assembly screw or assembly pin) via at least the distal end of the first opening and the second opening.
- a coupling element e.g., coupling element 230 , such as an assembly screw or assembly pin
- attaching the front housing to the rear housing in the manner described herein can hide the coupling element from a consumer's view and an uninterrupted appearance can be provided to the assembly.
- attaching the first housing to the second housing can comprise screwing the coupling element into the distal end of the first opening and the second opening.
- attaching the first housing to the second housing can comprise pushing the coupling element through the distal end of the first opening into the second opening—see, as an illustration, FIG. 2A .
- One example advantage may be that the disclosed assembly technique (e.g., members, and/or coupling elements or fasteners) can permit or facilitate more sophisticated appearance of device or “cleaner” aesthetics. The more sophisticated appearance is a design efficiency that can lead to better design.
- Another example advantage may be improved mechanical structure and ensuing mechanical stability as a result of the assembly of a coupling element into robust structure(s). Improved mechanical structure can yield better reliability of mechanical properties of a device.
- Yet another example advantage may be improved serviceability as a result of disassembly ease afforded at least in part by the opening through which the coupling element can be accessed.
- conditional language such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations could include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, such conditional language generally is not intended to imply that features, elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation.
Abstract
Description
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/768,613 US9054439B1 (en) | 2013-02-15 | 2013-02-15 | Structures for seamless coupling of device members |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/768,613 US9054439B1 (en) | 2013-02-15 | 2013-02-15 | Structures for seamless coupling of device members |
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US9054439B1 true US9054439B1 (en) | 2015-06-09 |
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US13/768,613 Expired - Fee Related US9054439B1 (en) | 2013-02-15 | 2013-02-15 | Structures for seamless coupling of device members |
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US (1) | US9054439B1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7097505B1 (en) * | 2005-12-19 | 2006-08-29 | Molex Incorporated | Shielded electrical connector |
US20070072488A1 (en) * | 2005-09-28 | 2007-03-29 | Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. | Audio jack connector with reliable grounding device |
-
2013
- 2013-02-15 US US13/768,613 patent/US9054439B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070072488A1 (en) * | 2005-09-28 | 2007-03-29 | Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. | Audio jack connector with reliable grounding device |
US7097505B1 (en) * | 2005-12-19 | 2006-08-29 | Molex Incorporated | Shielded electrical connector |
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